How do I bypass the factory radio completely so I can just listen through Bluetooth?

[WranglerTJForum]

Here's the deal:

My 1973 K10 has the factory radio. I don't use the radio, ever. I have zero use whatsoever for a radio these days as everything I listen to (Podcasts, music, and even radio) is done through my phone.

I'm curious if there is a way to bypass the factory radio and manage everything directly though my phone which would then connect to the amplifier and speakers via Bluetooth.

Is there a device that would allow me to achieve this? I'm not particularly certain what the search terms would be for such a device.

I'd like to keep the factory radio in place, I'm just not going to be using it. An external amp will be powering the speakers.

 

[Ricko1966]

Here's the deal:

My 1973 K10 has the factory radio. I don't use the radio, ever. I have zero use whatsoever for a radio these days as everything I listen to (Podcasts, music, and even radio) is done through my phone.

I'm curious if there is a way to bypass the factory radio and manage everything directly though my phone which would then connect to the amplifier and speakers via Bluetooth.

Is there a device that would allow me to achieve this? I'm not particularly certain what the search terms would be for such a device.

I'd like to keep the factory radio in place, I'm just not going to be using it. An external amp will be powering the speakers.

The factory radio is a contained unit,reciever and amplifier together. You can buy a blue tooth amplifier and unplug your factory radio,or just turn it off and leave it off. But there are specific amplifiers to put in your car just to run blue tooth through. If you are talking use your factory radio as a blue tooth reciever. Maybe, depends on what you have for a radio. AM. AM/FM. AM/FM 8 track. AM/FM cassette.

 

[WranglerTJForum]

The factory radio is a contained unit,reciever and amplifier together. You can buy a blue tooth amplifier and unplug your factory radio,or just turn it off and leave it off. But they specific amplifiers to put in your car just to reun blue tooth through. If you are talking use your factory radio as a blue tooth reciever. Maybe depends on what you have for a radio. AM. AM/FM. AM/FM 8 track. AM/FM cassette.

Okay, this makes sense.

My dilemma is that I can go buy one of those RetroSound (or other various factory replacement options) factory style head units that have Bluetooth built-in, then run that to the amp. But then I say to myself, "Why bother spending $350 or so on one of those when I'm never going to use it for anything other than connecting my phone?".

Seems to me if I'm only using my phone for music and other listening, I'd be better off connecting directly to the amp (which I didn't know was possible until you mentioned it).

Sounds to me then like the best option would be to just unplug the factory radio and find a good Bluetooth amp.

 

[bluex]

I have a small Bluetooth reciever/amp I mounted under the seat an wired right to the speakers. It has am/fm and auxiliary hookup but I just use the Bluetooth. I got it off Amazon I think it is LP-269 or something like that. It was pretty cheap an sounds decent enough.

 

[Ricko1966]

On a budget, buy something like this and mount it behind or under the seat. I was trying to find the one I bought. Keep your eyes open it was this brand with speakers no remote for I believe it was 35.00 bucks it was definitely under 40 which was why I bought it. It was going in a beater with no radio in it. It wasn't the best radio ever but for the money it was great. @bluex Types faster than me.

 

[goldpack]

I would be for keeping a working 1973 radio set intact, value for the purist that wants it,...and you can show passing people it still works after 50 years.

maybe get a set of bluetooth speakers working off a key on fuse ?

some good ideas here too

https://www.gmsquarebody.com/threads/whats-every-body-using-looking-for-a-new-stereo-head-unit.46097/

 

[Rustisbest]

I would be for keeping a working 1973 radio set intact, value for the purist that wants it,...and you can show passing people it still works after 50 years.

maybe get a set of bluetooth speakers working off a key on fuse ?

some good ideas here too

https://www.gmsquarebody.com/threads/whats-every-body-using-looking-for-a-new-stereo-head-unit.46097/

Mine in post 66 of that thread. Mounted on the panel below the steering column. Power, ground and output for 2 speakers.

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[Ricko1966]

Found it. 4 speaker and a Bluetooth reciever 34.99 I had to buy it, Oreillys had the same thing for I think 37.99. But being bluetooth like I said, remote mount it. 1 thing to note the thing is less than 2 inches deep. So like 6 inches wide 2 inches tall 2 inches deep you could hang it with zip ties or double face tape off the bottom of the O.E. radio and it would be unseen I got the 18 looks like it's replaced with the 17

 

[Grit dog]

There’s also a plethora of miniature Bluetooth receivers. A lot of them in use in marine applications at all price points.
As nice as your truck is, and if the factory radio works, just leave it alone and in tact for nostalgia purposes. Since you’re going to run an external amp, which means new speakers.
Assuming your truck just has the one center original dash speaker.
You could still use that spot for front speakers if that was your plan. Replace it with 2 - 3.5” speakers for stereo sound. There’s kits that drop in. And do whatever you want for other speakers…kick panels, rear corners, boxes behind the seat etc.
you could even wire the factory radio to the new dash speaker(s) to keep the original radio functional.
If you wanted a hidden BT receiver that you could still operate while driving, I found this one. It’s BT only like you want and I checked the dimensions, it will fit in place of the ashtray!

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That’s what I plan to do on the 77. Keep the factory radio in tact and use this, wired to an amp.
The blue truck had the dash cut already so just put another single din in place. Quality 3.5s in dash, new 4x10s in the back corners (you could do 6x9s with available mounting kits for squares) behind the factory grilles, a floating amp under the seat in the middle (left enough slack to pull it out for adjustments) and a low profile powered sub under the passenger seat.
It’s pretty loud and sounds good. And aside from the receiver it’s totally hidden.

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[edgephoto]

I have an original Delco radio that a member here added Bluetooth to. If you are interested, shoot me a PM and I can share his info.

 

[Vbb199]

https://a.co/d/9OWh7R0

You're welcome

 

[Ricko1966]

https://a.co/d/9OWh7R0

You're welcome

I am assuming a 73 is just going to be AM.I asked in post 2 what kind of radio.No reply yet. Type of radio is a game changer.

 

[77Dmax]

I have several classics that I bounce between. I bought a Dewalt jobsite radio that is Bluetooth/fm that runs off the 20v battery system that I have plenty of. It has great sound and is easy to use/hide/transport. Way easier than messing with retrofitting or hiding something under the dash. Hide it when parked and no one is the wiser

 

[Finkaire]

This is what I have in one of my cars, transmits directly from your Bluetooth phone and transmits to your radio, done!

 

[etedeschi72]

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